Jury Found William Sassman Guilty of Money Laundering

A federal jury convicted a man who laundered millions stolen from the Tukwila School District.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Financial Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing an archway silhouette, representing the gravity of federal judicial proceedings. — A federal jury on Wednesday convicted William Sassman of money laundering, concluding a case involving the theft of $6.5 million from the Tukwila School District. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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On June 5, 2026, a jury found William Sassman guilty of knowingly engaging in monetary transactions with funds derived from criminal activity. The case followed the September 2019 misdirection of $6.5 million from the Tukwila School District into Sassman's bank account.

Why it matters

The conviction highlights the legal consequences for individuals who continue to utilize funds after being notified that the money was obtained through fraudulent means. Sassman proceeded to move the money through secondary accounts after purchasing luxury items.

A jury found William Sassman guilty in the Eastern District of California on June 5, 2026, for his role in laundering funds. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the laundered amount.

The players

William Sassman

The defendant who received misdirected school district funds and subsequently laundered the money.

Tukwila School District

The Washington-based educational institution that inadvertently transferred $6.5 million to the wrong bank account.

FBI

The federal law enforcement agency that led the investigation into the financial crime.

The details

District employees were deceived into sending $6.5 million to Sassman's account instead of a contractor. Sassman used $513,324 of these funds to purchase a Patek Philippe watch for $195,000 and a Richard Mille watch for $318,324, later reselling them and depositing the proceeds into a different account.

September 2019: Tukwila School District mistakenly transferred funds to Sassman.
June 5, 2026: A jury found Sassman guilty of money laundering.
September 25, 2026: Sassman's scheduled sentencing date.

Legal Context

This conviction follows the established federal sentencing guidelines for money laundering that determine potential prison time and fines based on the value of the laundered property. Such cases reflect broader federal efforts to prosecute individuals who knowingly handle proceeds obtained through business email compromise schemes.

The case serves as a warning for local businesses and organizations to implement rigorous internal controls to prevent vendor fraud. Residents in Sacramento should remain vigilant against unauthorized financial transactions involving their own accounts.

The takeaway

Individuals who accept or move funds after being informed the money is fraudulent risk severe criminal charges regardless of their initial involvement. Always verify bank account details through independent channels before authorizing large corporate or personal transfers.